Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer and the Government of Ontario, continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the resulting public health crisis and now the province’s Return to Play.
The Government of Ontario announced today its plan for Stage 3 of the re-opening of the economy, which will commence on Friday, July 17, 2020.
Ontario Soccer is now reviewing and translating today’s announcement and how it impacts the Ontario Soccer Return to Play Plan with Canada Soccer and the relevant Government authorities.
Ontario Soccer will provide another update to our membership this week, before the government order goes into effect on Friday, July 17, 2020.
The Government of Ontario regional approach to re-opening in their Stage 3 plan, will include the following public health unit regions:
The following regions will remain in the government’s Stage 2 plan, as additional time is required to assess and monitor any impacts and readiness to move into Stage 3:
Districts, Clubs and Academies are responsible for determining which Public Health Unit their District boundaries reside.
As part of that announcement, the Government of Ontario has increased the social gathering limits for outdoor from 10 to 100 people, however cannot exceed the indoor gathering limit of 50 people and it has removed the physical distancing requirements for team sports.
Additionally, the Government of Ontario has made the following changes:
“Amateur and recreational sports leagues may resume so long as they do not allow prolonged or deliberate physical contact between players or if they have modifications to avoid physical contact between players.
Spectators at all sporting events, including professional sports, will be subject to gathering limits and physical distancing measures, with assigned seating where possible.”
Ontario Soccer is confirming and clarifying what these updates will mean for Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Guide and Plan with the Canada Soccer and relevant government authorities.
The Ontario Soccer Return to Play Guide and Plan consists of a three-phase approach that includes:
Phase 1: Return to Training (modified training)
Conditions: All Phase 1 Return to Train conditions are met
Restrictions: No contact, no league, exhibition, festival or tournament games
Phase 2: Return to Training and Modified Games (enhanced training & modified games)
Conditions: All Phase 2 Return to Train conditions are met
Inter-squad and Intra-squad modified games permitted (only within the Club/Academy)
Restrictions: No league, exhibition, festival or tournament games
Phase 3: Return to Soccer (regular competition, games and training)
Conditions: Social distancing restrictions have been lifted
Restrictions: None
The phases outlined above apply equally to all recreational, competitive and high performance level soccer.
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Tag(s): News